*Aduana News thanks Dr. Héctor Juárez Allende, author of the book "The World Customs Organization: Past, Present, and Future," for his guidance in preparing this press release..
Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium. As we reported in the 2025 Agenda, this week the meetings of the “Policy Commission” and the "Advice" of the World Customs Organization (WCO)These meetings represent a crucial milestone for global customs governance, the protection of society, and the essential facilitation of the legitimate flow of goods in international trade.
Acting as a dynamic advisory group to the Council, the “Policy Commission” It handles general policy issues related to the activities of the WCO. Its functions include a preliminary review of the strategic plan and the programme-budget, as well as making recommendations to the Council. The Policy Commission generally holds two sessions per year: one mid-year (usually in December) and another just before the annual meeting of the Council (usually in June). This session is the 92nd session, which will take place from Monday, 23 June 2025, to Tuesday, 24 June 2025.
Acting as a dynamic advisory group to the Council, the “Policy Commission” It handles general policy issues related to the activities of the WCO. Its functions include a preliminary review of the strategic plan and the programme-budget, as well as making recommendations to the Council. The Policy Commission generally holds two sessions per year: one mid-year (usually in December) and another just before the annual meeting of the Council (usually in June). This session is the 92nd session, which will take place from Monday, 23 June 2025, to Tuesday, 24 June 2025.
El “WCO Council” It is the supreme body of the Organization, responsible for making final decisions on its work and activities. It is in this forum that the work of the technical bodies is examined and approved, progress made in implementing the Organization's three-year Strategic Plan is reviewed, and future directions are outlined. According to the Constitutive Agreement, the Council meets at least twice a year; however, in practice, since 1966, a single annual meeting has been held in June, which is numbered as two sessions to fulfill its founding mandate. This time, these are the 145th and 146th Sessions, which will take place from Thursday, June 26, 2025, to Saturday, June 28, 2025.
🟦Strategic agendaica
In this momentous series of meetings, it is anticipated that representatives of the 186 WCO member customs administrations They will address a series of strategic topics that will directly impact the efficiency and security of the global supply chain. Some of the key points on the agenda reflect the current challenges and opportunities of the customs ecosystem:
◼As every year, the Secretary General of the Organization, Mr. Ian Sounders, will present a progress report on the implementation of WCO Strategic Plan, detailing the activities carried out over the last period. This Strategic Plan aims to ensure that the WCO, as a specialized organization in customs matters, remains compliant with its objectives in an increasingly complex environment, marked by digital transformation, security challenges, and the need to facilitate trade efficiently and sustainably.
◼The progress report will be reviewed. SAFE Regulatory Framework, a key instrument for the security and facilitation of international trade, based on the pillars of Customs-to-Customs, Customs-to-Enterprise, and Customs-to-Other Government Agencies. These periodic reviews and updates are essential for the implementation of this valuable instrument, which has marked a paradigm shift in customs control, moving beyond territorial control (import and export within a customs territory) to control the entire supply chain, from the exporter's factory to the importer's warehouse.
◼The reports on the Action Plan will be presented and analyzed. Fragile Borders, which the WCO has been working on, as well as the Work Plan Gender Equality and Diversity of the Secretariat of the Agency.
◼A proposal for improvement in some aspects of the Harmonized System (HS), a common circumstance that allows this wonderful merchandise identification system to remain up-to-date with commercial and technological changes that occur.
◼The theme of the Cross-border e-commerce will be a central focus, with a new edition of the Compendium of Case Studies on E-Commerce being presented, as well as Members' commitment to the second periodic review of the E-Commerce Package. The WCO has already developed a Framework of Standards for this purpose.
◼Integration of the MIPYMES in the Programs of Economic Authorized Operator.
(I.e.Green customs
◼Dialogue with the Private Sector Advisory GroupAn open dialogue session will be held with this important group, comprised of private sector companies and associations, whose purpose is to inform and advise the Secretary-General and WCO Members on customs and international trade issues from their perspective. This dialogue is essential to strengthening customs-business cooperation, recognized as a pillar of the SAFE Framework.
◼And many other topics…
These meetings are of vital importance, as the technical discussions held within the WCO bodies lead to the development of guides and tools that consistently seek to strengthen control and promote the facilitation of international trade. The results of these deliberations are eagerly awaited, as they will outline the strategies and guidelines that will guide customs work worldwide in the coming years, contributing to a more modern, efficient, and globally connected customs system.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
